Moving splitter fluidic device

ABSTRACT

A Moving Splitter Fluidic Device for converting linear fluidic motion into angular mechanical motions comprising a power orifice for projecting a jet of fluid into a channel having two side bleed channels and a moving pivoted splitter located thereinbetween. The splitter, the two bleed channels, and the channel itself are bilaterally and symetrically disposed about the central longitudinal axis of the main channel. The moving splitter oscillates about its pivot axis and this oscillatory motion is converted into angular mechanical motions by means of a rachet wheel assembly wherein a pair of tangs, pi radians apart, engage said wheel and are connected respectively at the top base and at the bottom base of the splitter. The jet issuing from the power orifice moves alternatively through a channel formed by a side of the splitter and the inner surface of an inside wall next to the splitter. The momentum of the jet moving into the associated channel is transferred to the splitter, due to the configuration of the splitter beyond the pivot, causing the splitter to move to its alternate position. The above sequence of the events occur alternatively on each side of the splitter causing it to oscillate.

United States Patent 91 Woodward 1' May2l, 1974 MOVING SPLITTER FLUIDIC DEVICE [75] Inventor: Kenneth E. Woodward, Vienna, Va.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC.

[22] Filed: June 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 262,901

521 US. Cl. 91/232, 91/339 [51] Int. Cl. F011 21/02 FOlc 9/00 [58] Field of Search 91/339, 3, 232; 74/578 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 264,975 9/1882 Norden 91/339 379,656 3/1888 Parish 74/578 933,519 9/1909 Zilliox 91/339 2.016.067 10/1935 Bannister 91/339 3,481,250 12/19 9 Toby 91/339 3,673,921 7/1972 Fritts 91/339 Primary ExaminerPaul E. Maslousky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Edward J. Kelly; Herbert Berl; Saul Elbaum 57 ABSTRACT A Moving Splitter Fluidic Device for'converting linear fluidic motion into angular mechanical motions comprising a power orifice for projecting a jet of fluid into a channel having two side bleed channels and a moving pivoted splitter located thereinbetween. The splitter, the two bleed channels, and the channel itself are bilaterally and symetrically disposed about the central longitudinal axis of the main channel. The moving splitter oscillates about its pivot axis and this oscillatory motion is converted into angular mechanical motions by means of a rachet wheel assembly wherein a pair of tangs, pi radians apart, engage said wheel and are connected respectively at the top base and at the bottom base of the splitter. The jet issuing from the power orifice moves alternatively through a channel formed by a side of the splitter andthe inner surface of an inside wall next to the splitter. The momentum of the jet moving into the associated channel is transferred to the splitter, due to the configurationof the splitter beyond the pivot, causing the splitter to move to its alternate position. The above sequence of the events occur alternatively on each side of the splitter causing it to oscillate.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures MOVING SPLITTER FLUIDIC DEVICE RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the United States Government for governmental purposes without the payment to the inventor of any royalty thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fluidic power transfer devices and, more particularly to a fluidic power transfer device for converting linear fluid motion into angular mechanical motion. This device accomplishes this purpose with only one moving part.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a moving splitter fluidic device for converting linear fluid motion into angular mechanical motion.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device for converting linear fluid motions to angular mechanical motions comprising a single moving part of simple geometry.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device for converting linear fluid motion into angular mechanical motion that has a high power output.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device to convert linear fluid motion into angular mechanical motion which has long life due to balance forces in simple geometry.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device for converting linear fluid motion into angular mechanical motions which is operable in rotating environments due to a balanced design.

It is an additional further object of this invention to provide a device for converting linear fluid motion into angular mechanical motion which operates at a low frequency and therefore precludes the need for high reduction gear ratios.

Further objects and the entire scope of this invention will become fully apparent in the followingdetailed description and in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The moving splitter device for converting linear fluid motion into angular mechanical motion comprises essentially a power orifice for supplying a jet'of fluid into a bilaterical symmetrical channel, having two bilaterally symmetrical bleed channels therein, and there between said bleed channels a pivoted splitter. A jet of fluid is supplied into the channel through the power orifice. A boundary layer is formed causing the jet to attach itself to one of the inner walls of the inside walls forming the bleed channels. Channels are also formed on each side of the splitter by the bilaterally symmerical inside walls used to form the bleed channels. The momentum of the air moving into the associated channels formed by the splitter is transferred to the splitter due to the configuration of the splitter after the pivot, causing the splitter to move to its alternate position. The above sequence is then repeated, causing the splitter to oscillate. The boundary layer formed prevents the momentum of the in coming jet on the forward tip of the splitter from overwhelming the momentum exchange force acting on the splitter aft of the splitter. The bleed channels allow the boundary layer to form and maintain its integrity. The osillatory motion is changed into a rotary motion by having a double tang attached to the splitter engage a rachet wheel. The frequency of oscillation of the splitter is directly proportional to the velocity of the air passing along the length of the moving splitter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. la, an embodiment of a moving splitter fluidic device for converting linear fluidic momentum into angular mechanical motion is shown having a principle longitudinal axis PP. Comprising this device is block number 16 having several channels 30, 45, and 40 formed therein. The ceiling for said channels being provided by a cover member 17 attached to the top of block number 16. Inner channel 45 is bilaterally and symmerically located with respect to the central longitudinal axis P-P of the main channel 46. Inside channel 45 is disposed a wedge-shaped. pivoted splitter having its pivot axis centrally located and having its tip directed toward the power orifice l0. Comprising the main channel 46 are bleed channels 30 and 40 bilaterally and symmerically disposed with respect to the principle longitudinal PP of channel 46. Attached to said splitter 20 by means of rectangular rod member 18 are tangs 51 and 52. Tangs 51 and 52 are attached to faces of the rod member 18 perpendicular to the pivot axis of the splitter 20 and are therefore pi radians apart with respect to rachet 50. Tangs 51 and 52 engage rachet wheel 50 in such a way that the linear movement of the tangs is transferred thereto. Rachet wheel 50 has its position fixed by means of member 55 connected to block member 16 and to said rachet wheel 50 in such a manner as to permit said rachet wheel to rotate.

Fluid enters the power orifice 10 from passage 'way 9 and a boundary layer is formed at the inner surface 25. This boundary layer causes the jet of fluid to attach itself to the inner surface 25 located immediately downstream from the power orifice 10. The momentum of the fluid moving into the associated channel '32 is transferred to the splitter 20 at the point 21 due to the configuration of the splitter aft of the pivot 15. In addition, due to the foresaid configur'ation there is an alternating pressure created at the points 21 and 22. f

This momentum transfer in combination with said pressures causes the splitter to move to its alternate position, B. When the point 11 of splitter 20 is at position B a boundary layer is caused to form at the inner surface 26. This causes the jet of fluid to attach itself to this surface 26. The momentum of the fluidv moving 3 moves from point A to point B or vice versa, and causes the rachet wheel to advance one tooth. The frequency of oscillation of the splitter is directly porportional to the velocity of the fluid passing through either channel 32 or 42.

Boundary layer phenomenon plays a significant role in the operation of the splitter 20. Without such phenomenon, the momentumof the incoming stream on the forward tip 11 of the splitter 20 would overwhelm the momentum exchange force acting on the splitter 20 after the pivot 15. The bleed channels and as well as the inside walls 31 and 41 are bilaterally and symmerically disposed with respect to the principle longitudinal axis P-P of the principle main channel 45. These bleed channels 30 and 40 allow the boundary layer to form and maintain its integrity.

The inventor wishes it to be understood that he does not desire to be'limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a skilled person in theart thereof,

The inventor also wishes it to be understood that the I specific embodiment described above can operate 'without side walls 31 and 41. Note: Side walls 31 and 4] are wedge shaped and consequently have triangular faces. These triangular faces are juxtaposed to cover member 17.

What is claimed:

l. A device for converting linear fluid motion into angular mechanical motion comprising:

4, whereby said jet of fluid continuously flows therethrough.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a power orifice.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said splitter is shaped in the form of a wedge having an edge and two triangular faces, said edge pointing into said jet, and

'wherein said splitter is pivoted at at least one said face.

and said sidewall being perpendicular to a common plane.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said splitter is symmetrically disposed in a central passagewayjformed by said wedge-shaped inside walls, the inner walls of said passage in combination with said jet of fluid comprising a means for forming a boundary layer along one said inner wall whereby said boundary layer causes said jet to attach itself to. the respective sidewall.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein last said means in combination with said pivoted splitter comprises a means for transferring the momentum of said jet of fluid to each side of said splitter aft of said pivot axis.

9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a means for converting the oscillatory motion of the splitter into angular mechanical motion comprising:

a. a rachet wheel,

b. a pair of tangs, pi'radians apart, engaging said wheel, both said tangs connected to the aft of said splitter, one attached at the top face and the other attached at the bottom face. 

1. A device for converting linear fluid motion into angular mechanical motion comprising: a. A main channel for receiving a jet of fluid, b. pivoted splitter having a fixed pivot axis and a tip, said tip being directed into said jet, c. Means for causing said splitter to oscillate comprising first and second bilaterally symmetrical bleed channels disposed about the central longitudinal axis of said main channel, d. An inner chamber, located bilaterally and symmetrically in between said bleed channels, wherein said splitter is mounted, and e. Means for providing continuous momentum transfer from said fluid to said splitter comprising a continuously open passageway in said inner chamber whereby said jet of fluid continuously flows therethrough.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a power orifice.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said splitter is shaped in the form of a wedge having an edge and two triangular faces, said edge pointing into said jet, and wherein said splitter is pivoted at at least one said face.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said channel further comprises at a pair of wedge-shape inside walls, said walls being bilaterally disposed about said axis of symmetry.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said channel, said splitter, and said pair of sidewalls are bilaterally symmetrical.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein each said bleed channel is comprised of outer surface of an inside wall and a nearby surface of said channel, both said surface and said sidewall being perpendicular to a common plane.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said splitter is symmetrically disposed in a central passageway formed by said wedge-shaped inside walls, the inner walls of said passage in combination with said jet of fluid comprising a means for forming a boundary layer along one said inner wall whereby said boundary layer causes said jet to attach itself to the respective sidewall.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein last said means in combination with said pivoted splitter comprises a means for transferring the momentum of said jet of fluid to each side of said splitter aft of said pivot axis.
 9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a means for converting the oscillatory motion of the splitter into angular mechanical motion comprising: a. a rachet wheel, b. a pair of tangs, pi radians apart, engaging said wheel, both said tangs connected to the aft of said splitter, one attached at the top face and the other attached at the bottom face. 